Matthew Herrmann

Some seven-and-a-half scores ago, Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most important and influential speeches in American history. The Gettysburg Address inspired me to educate the American people on the U.S. wage inequality. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is a well-known phrase in America. Although, can this phrase be true when there is a large disparity in wages between the upper, middle, and lower classes. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Why can we not provide the lower class a fair wage? All that we are doing now is watching them tread in deep waters and offering them little assistance to make a quality living. Politicians would argue that there are government programs to assist those, but should we just have these poor Americans rely on the government. I pose the challenge that all businesses should be offered a wage that would allow them to make enough money to buy their own food and not be so self-relying. When I envision America, the first thing that I think of is the “American Dream.” The “American Dream” was shown in Lincoln’s presidency as he promoted equality throughout America through the freeing of the overworked, blood soaked slaves. The blood that was on their hands was washed clean and they were free to pursue that life of happiness. The brave dedicated men and women fought hard to provide this country with freedom and it’s time to express freedom through wage equality. This nation, under god, needs to do what it best for the people and it starts with spreading wealth equally across all social classes. Thank You.
Matthew Herrmann